Wimbley gets new deal, but is it too late? (updated)

Kamerion Wimbley restructured his deal, throwing away the $11.3 million, one-year franchise tag he was given in February in exchange for a five-year, $48 million deal that helps the Raiders get under the salary cap this year. Of the 48, $29 million is guaranteed.

Now the Raiders can try and re-sign unresticted free agent Zach Miller. All indications here in Napa last night were that that was going to be a formality, but today Miller visited the Seahawks. There, he

heard the sales pitch of Pete Carroll and former Raiders head coach Tom Cable, now the Seahawks offensive line coach, and there were reports in Seattle that the two sides were close to a deal.

Wimbley thanked Al Davis after practice, which he watched since he can’t practice again until Thursday since he’s now a newly-signed free agent. He said signing a long-term deal was in the best interests of himself and the team, and the outside linebacker thanked the defensive line for making his job easier.

The Raiders acquired Wimbley from the Browns last year in exchange for a 2010 third-round draft pick. Wimbley started 16 games and recorded nine sacks, and also held up surprisingly well against the run.

Update: Raiders coach Hue Jackson on the Wimbley deal:

“Kamerion Wimbley, new Raider, free agency. It’s one of our signings. Write that down everybody. No, that’s what it is. … Again, it’s just our organization continuing to lock up a good young talent. Kamerion Wimbley, what a terrific few days of practice he was having and then, all of a sudden, we got the deal done. Now, all of a sudden, he’s a free agent. But he’s here. He’s ours.

“He’s a tremendous player, a tremendous young player. I know he has nothing but an unbelievable upside ahead of him. Nine sacks a year ago, I expect more than that, more of that, and he’ll do that for this organization.”